Fix error 0x80041006 on your Windows PC

When playing online games from different websites like Yahoo, MSN or even Facebook, and you’re using Internet Explorer as your browser, you’ve probably noticed that the games may not play as they’re expected to.

When you play or attempt to play an online game, it may fail to download, not launch, not load completely, or some functionality may not work. The game may also freeze while you’re playing, the screen may go black or you may be dropped from a game or the website while playing.

One of the problems that arise is error 0x80041006, which gives the following message: ‘A network error occurred while communicating with the game server. This is commonly caused by a missing or outdated add-on needed to play the game.

Most games are based on Silverlight, Java, or Flash and require Internet Explore add-ons to function.

Some of the troubleshooting methods you can try include restarting your computer, installing Windows updates and updating your browser. If error 0x80041006 persists, then try some of the recommended solutions in this article.

If you use a pre-released version of IE 9, download and install the released version and then apply relevant and applicable updates offered by Windows Update. If you’re using ActiveX filtering or tracking protection, some games or videos may be disabled.

For games that use Silverlight, update to the latest version of Silverlight and enable it in Internet Explorer. Do the same thing for games that need Java add—ons by updating the add-ons to the latest versions.

Here’s how to enable add-ons in Internet Explorer:

Start Internet Explorer

Click Tools icon

Click Internet Options

Click Programs tab

Click Manage add-ons button

From the Show dropdown selection, select Run without Permission

Look for the add-ons (Microsoft Silverlight, Shockwave ActiveX Control, Shockwave Flash Object, Java Plug-in) in the displayed list and ensure the Status is listed as Enabled

Solution 2: Use Disk Cleanup

This deletes unnecessary files so you can continue with gameplay.

Search for Disk cleanup from the taskbar and select it from the list of results.

Under Files to delete, select the file types to get rid of. To get a description of the file type, select it.

Select OK.

If you need to free up more space, you can also delete system files. In Disk cleanup, select Clean up system files.

Select the file types to get rid of. To get a description of the file type, select it.

Solution 3: Check in Safe Mode with Networking to see if error 0x80041006 persists or not.

This starts Windows in safe mode, including the network drivers and services you need to access the internet or other computers on the same network.

Restart your computer

When the sign-in screen is displayed, hold down SHIFT key while you select Power then Restart

After the computer restarts to Choose an option screen

Select Troubleshoot

Click Advanced options

Click Startup Settings

Click Restart

Once it restarts, you will see a list of options. select 5 or F5 for Safe Mode with Networking

Once you’re in safe mode, you can perform a System File Checker (SFC) scan, which checks all protected system files, and then replaces the incorrect versions, with the genuine, correct Microsoft versions.

Here’s how to do this:

Click Start

Go to the search field box and type CMD

Right click Command Prompt and select Run as Administrator

Type sfc/scannow

Press Enter

Restart your computer

Do the following to exit Safe Mode:

Right click Start button

Select Run

Type msconfig

A pop up will open

Go to the Boot tab

Deselect or uncheck Safe Boot option box

Restart your computer

Solution 4: Perform a clean boot

Performing a clean boot for your computer reduces conflicts related to software that can bring up the root causes of error 0x80041006. These conflicts can be caused by apps and services that start and run in the background when Windows starts normally.

Log on as administrator

Go to the search box

Type msconfig

Select System Configuration

Find Services tab

Select Hide all Microsoft services box

Click Disable all

Go to Startup tab

Click Open Task Manager

Close Task manager then click Ok

Reboot your computer

You will have a clean boot environment after all these steps are carefully followed, after which you can try and check if error 0x80041006 goes away. If not, try the next solutions.

Solution 5: Run Memory Diagnostic Test

This works with Microsoft Online Crash Analysis to detect crashes that may be caused by failing memory. It provides guided support, and prompts you to schedule a memory test the next time you restart your computer.

To run the Memory Diagnostic Test, go to Start, type ‘memory diagnostic’ and then double click on the first result. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete memory scanning.

Solution 6: Uninstall and reinstall the game

You can always uninstall, then clean your system, and reinstall the game back again.

Right click Start

Select Programs and Features

Click Turn Windows features on or off

From the list, find Games and click to expand it. Turn off Games by unchecking its box, then wait till it is disabled, click OK and restart your computer

Once you restart, turn on the Games using these same steps but check the Games box

Solution 7: Temporarily disable your security software

You can temporarily disable your antivirus program and see if error 0x80041006 persists or not. If nothing happens, you may need to check your firewall settings. Enable your antivirus back on once you’re done as it is not recommended to disable these settings on your computer.